Garment cleaning and drying device



Oct. 27, 1925. 7

A. P. BADEAUX GARMENT CLEANING AND DRYING DEVICE Filed Ndv. 15, 192

7 gnoenkw; 09. R flaaeaux,

Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES ALPHONSE P. BADEAUX, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

GARMENT CLEANING AND DRYING DEVICE;

Application filed. November 15, 1924. Serial No. 750,0 80.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LALrnoNsn l. B means, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Garment- Cleaning and Drying Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for cleaning and drying garments without. wringing them, thus eliminating wrinkles, creases, tears, st'ains and distortions which otherwise occur in other mechanical and hand work, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device having the advantages stated and by the use of which the garment will be dried in as near its natural shape as is practicable, thus eliminating or reducing the labor required for pressing the garment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device whereby the garment may be supported in open position and slightly stretched or under tension, and subjected to the drying actions of hot or cold compressed fluid, in such away that the compressed fluid will flow along the garment and also through the meshes of the material thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the garment may be treated while subjected to fluid pressure and in the best condition for the purpose, for the removal of spots or imperfections not removed by an original scouring or cleaning treatment.

The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, and partially in section, showing my improved cleaning and drying device, with a garment supported for treatment.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the weight rack.

Figure 4 is a similar View of one of the weights.

1 supporting an elevated platform 2 provided with a central opening 3, and upon the l provided to engage the lower edge of the garment and which are connected with the wall 4 by cords or other flexible strands 7.

Supported by the platform 2 is a frame comprising uprights 8 and 9, preferably formed of ordinary tubing or piping. The standard 8 telescopically receives the stem 10 of a. bracket 11 designed to support one or more reservoirs 12 for various liquids or solutions to be used for removing spots, grease or rings from the garment, a set screw 13 being proi ided for fixing the stem 11 to the standard 8 so that the reservoirs 12 may be held in any desired position of adjustment. Hose pipes or flexible tubes 1 L lead from the reservoirs so that the fluids may be conveniently conveyed to the garment, and the flow of fluid through each of these hose pipes or tubes may be controlled by means of any standard stop or clamp (not shown) applied thereto in the customary manner.

The standard 9 is provided at its upper end with a return-bend or U-shaped portion 15 which overhangs the platform and terminates in line with the center of the open ing 3 and the chamber formed by the wall 4:. Fixed to the end of this return-bend 15 is a circular baffle plate or disk 16, apertured in line with the opening in the bend for the passage of a flexible suspending cord, chain or like element 17 carrying at one end a suitable hanger 18 adapted to be engaged with the upper portion of the garment 5 or from which the garment is hung to support it properly in the space between the uprights 8 and 9. The connection 18 extends through the return-bend 15, which serves as a guide therefor, and issues through an opening 19 arranged at one side thereof, the said connection thence extending downwardly parallel with the standard 9 and being secured at its opposite end to a rod 20 engaging a guide 21, fixed to slide on the standard 9, and to which rod is also suitably secured a. U-shaped sliding weight-rack 22 adapted forthe reception of one or more weights 23 as required.

Bythe application of the proper amount of weight to the weight rack, a desired amount of pull or tension may be exerted on the con-' nection 17 to hold the garment 5 longitudinally extended and stretchedto any extentrequired, and to cooperate withthe fastening 6 to hold the garment in position against the pressure of compressed air or other fluid assure drying mediums applied thereto as [hereinafter described.

a heating chamber 27 through a pipe or connection 28. The chamber 27 communicates at one end with the connection 8' and is open at its opposite end 29 for the admission of atmospheric air thereto. Arranged within the heating chamber is a heating coil 30 through which steam or other fluid may be, supplied from a suitable source to heat the air flowing through said heating chamber,

the steam entering through a pipe 31 and;

* discharging through a pipe 32, said pipes being respectively provided with control valves 33 and 34. The connection 28 is provided with a side inlet 35, opening to the atmosphere, and with a gate or valve 36 free to swing as indicated by dotted lines, so as to either close the opening leading from the chamber 27 or the opening 35, as the case may be, for the admission of heated fluid from the heating chamber to the blower or cold atmospheric air through the inlet 35 to the blower, as may be desired at different times in treating the garment.

In the use of the device, after a garment is scoured or dyed, it is taken directly from the bath and hung on the hanger 18, the required weights 23 being added to or removed from the rack 22 to support the garment and hold it under the desired tension. The bottom of the garment is then stretched and engaged with the clips 6 carried by the wall 4, whereby the garment will be supported in position and held open for the flow ofa fluid therethrough from end to end thereof. The garment having thus been adjusted, the blower is put in operation and hot air or other fluid taken from the hot air chamber is discharged through the nozzle 24: under the garment, the direct escape of the air being prevented by the wall 4 whereby the an is caused to flow upwardly into and through face thereof, but 'is through the meshes of the garment, whereby he suction of this blower 26 communicates with the garment. The air thus passing from the garment is retarded 'in its flow by the baflle plate 16, under and around which the upof the moisture in the arment, for the reason that the air not on y flows through the garment and in contact with the inner sura most efficient and rapid drying action is obtained. Also by thus exposing the entire inner surface of the garment to the air current, and'also forcing the air throu h the texture of the garment, a rapid and 'e cient evaporation of any residual naphtha or gasoline used in cleaning is obtained, by which the garment is thoroughly and effectually deodorized.

Having thus thoroughly dried the garment by means of hot air, the operator now switches the valve 36 in the connection 28, so as to close communication between thehopper 27 and the blower 26, andestablish communication between the inlet 35 and the atforcedr outwardly I mosphere, so that cold air will be drawn in by theblower and forced through the garment.- By thismeans .the garment will be held distended, making it convenient for the operator to critically inspect the garment for defects in cleaning, the-inflated condition of the garment exposing all portions of the garment to view. Should any spots or rings or other imperfections show up, these can be readily and handily/worked on by means of gasoline, naphtha, water or other solvents, supplied from the reservoirs 12, the cleansing solution or solutions applied being quickly evaporated by the flow of the compressed air and the treated spots dried. The garment being now thoroughly.

cleansed and dried will, on removal from the device, assume its natural shape and require but a minimum of pressing, and in many cases none at all.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing. the construction, mode of operation and advantages of my improved device will be readily understood and appreciated by those versed in the art. While the structure shown and described, for purposes of exemplification is preferred, it will of course be understood that many modifications falling within the ioo spirit of the invention and scope of the ap-.

pended claims may be made, without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim L'A garment cleaning and drying device comprising means for supporting and holding a'garment with its surfaces surrounding an enclosed space and free from contact with each other, means for forcing a drying fluid under pressure into the space bounded by the garment at one end thereof for the flow of the fluid along the inner surface of the garment and toward and out of the garment at the opposite end of such enclosed space, and means for retarding the fluid in its course of flow to cause it to balloon the garment and pass in part laterally outward through the material of the garment.

2. A garment cleaning and drying device comprising a platform, an annular wall supported by the platform to enclose the lower edge of a garment, means engageable with the upper portion of the garment for supporting the same, a nozzle extending into the annular wall for supplying fluid under pressure, and means disposed adjacent to the garment supporting means for retarding the flow of the fluid therefrom. I

3. A garment cleaning and dry1ng device comprising means for engag ng the lower edge of a garment and holding the walls thereof outspread, a hanger engageable with the top of the garment to hold the walls thereof outspread, means acting on the hanger to stretch or hold the garment under tension, means for discharging fluld under pressure into the garment from the lower end thereof, and a baffle arranged to .overhe the top of the garment and retard the motion of the fluid. 1

l. A garment cleaning and, drying device comprising a platform, an upright rising from the platform, a hanger for engagement with the top of the garment, means carried by the upright and connected with the hanger for holding the garment under tension, means for holding the lower edge of the garment fixed with relation to the platform, means for discharging fluid under pressure into the garment through the bottom thereof for travel upwardly through the garment, and a baffle device supported by the upright for retarding the motion of the fluid.

A garment cleaning and drying device comprising. a platform, an annular wall rising from the platform, means carried thereby for engagement with the lower edge of a garment, means engageable with the upper portionof the garment for holding the same under tension, a nozzle extending into the space bounded by the annular wall for discharging fluid under pressure upwardly through the garment, and a baffle device arranged so as to overhang the top of the garment and retard the flow of the fluid.

6. A garment cleaning and drying device comprising means engageable with the bottom of a garment for holding it open and in a fixed position, means engageable with, the upper portion of the garment for supporting and holding the garment under tension, means for discharging a fluid under pressure into the garment from the bottom thereof,

and means arranged so as to be disposed above the garment and in the path of the fluid issuing from the top thereof, for retarding the flow of the fluid,

7. A garment cleaning and drying device comprising a platform, means connected therewith for engaging and holding the lower edge of a garment, means for engaging the upper portion of a garment and holding the garment supported and under tension, means including a blower for forcing a fluid under pressure into the garment through the bottom thereof, means for supplying fluid under different temperatures to the blower at will, and means arranged in the path of the fluid issuing from the top of ghedgarment for retarding the flow of the 8. A garment cleaning and drying device comprising a platform, means for connecting the lower edge of a garment therewith, an upright rising from the platform, means for forcing a fluid under pressure into the garment from the bottom thereof, a hanger for engagement with the upper portion of the garment, a suspension device connected with the hanger and in guided connection with the upright, means for applying different garment supporting tensions to said suspension device, and means supported by the upright and arranged to lie in the course of flow of fluid above the garment for retarding the motion of the fluid.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALPHONSE P. BADEAUX. 

